New Therapist! Questions!

[Guest Neuro]

My old therapist always called me female and such even after I told him, but I think a better 1st impression might do good?

Should I go into the office full-on Michael mode in clothes and face; tell them my name is Michael et cetera...?

Last time, it took forever to get to the real issues because I came to old therapist as a girl-mode Michael. That I am a male of transgender origins, but a male ninetheless.

I hope these new interviews will find me a new doctor who can listen and understand.......

--Michael

[Sally]

Michael,

Go dressed as you want to, I was afraid to go in female mode but I was greated as Sally and my therapist has to go to her records to find my male name if she needs to write a letter - like my 'get out of jail free' letter that says I am supposed to present as female for my therapy and be treated as a woman.

Telling the truth from the very beginning is the key!

Good luck, I hope you find a good one!

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Zabrak]

I think thats a really great idea! It shows that you're serious and it gives you a time to be called your proper pronouns, dress the way you want and feel comfortable doing it all at the same time.(I'm guessing you aren't fully out yet)

Oh and...I'm sorry your old therapist was disrespectful.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

I always go gender appropriate (female for me). My therapist makes a point to use my female name and the proper pronouns. It really helps my self affirmation issues. You should go as you really are - a guy.

Just an opinion

Lizzy

[Guest Leigh]

yes. yes. yes.

do it.

let him/her know that you don't have doubts.

do your thing. be you. don't ease them into it. it's your therapist's job to help you with what you want help with, and that's your transition.

best of luck

peace&love

leigh

[Guest angie]

I would go as your true self,let him/her see who you are,

how you want to live your life,and how you expect to be addressed.

And it sure ain't a female.And if a therapist doesn't respect your wish,

drop them like a hot rock.You go to therapy for help,not to be insulted

or disrespected.

Angie

[Guest Eth]

Hai, you totally should, oniichan!!

Going as yourself is definitely important. Wearing male clothes and such may help you "feel" like yourself, making it easier for you to present as the Michael you are. It is definitely important that you present as yourself as that'll show them who you are, how serious you are, and what you need. I don't think you should hold back- as you said, first impressions are important, and you want to make one that really shows who you are.

Knowing you, if they see you as the real Michael on the first day, there will be no doubt in their minds as to your true gender. You are definitely a male personality and I am sure that they will see that and treat you as such once they have that image in mind.

Good luck oniichan!

[Guest Neuro]

Okay, I will be sure to do that. Do you think they will think I'm nuts or something? Because I am female in body, but--not in mind. If I go in dressed like I am, a man and ask for proper pronouns; will they think that is crazy or will they take me seriously? Everyone I know IRL (in real life) seems to just treat me like a kid playing dress up OTL

P.S: I tried dressing up like a girl today, for fun. XD It is more uncomfortable than I remember. I put on a wig and fake breasts and a tight jumpsuit to be a man-Fujiko (from Lupin III).

I looked in the mirror and thought "Wow, I look like a guy trying to dress like a girl."

Even in those girl clothes, I really looked like a guy... I should take pictures for fun and see what you think (If I get the chance XD so uncomfortable!)

[Guest Zabrak]

I do not think it really matters if they do not get it right at first. What matters is you drive your purpose of doing this through peoples skulls. You are transgendered, you need a Gender Therapist and you're not just playing dress up. You want to be who are truly are and you're seeking help to do that.

[Sally]

Any therapist that understands Gender Issues will be understanding and will see you sa you are - a young man in need of help in transitioning.

They aren't your enemy.

trust that this one will be the right one.

If not then get a different one.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Eth]

Okay, I will be sure to do that. Do you think they will think I'm nuts or something? Because I am female in body, but--not in mind. If I go in dressed like I am, a man and ask for proper pronouns; will they think that is crazy or will they take me seriously? Everyone I know IRL (in real life) seems to just treat me like a kid playing dress up OTL

At a therapists office, they'll probably place you in countless dozens of boxes in their mind from past experience and what they've heard from other councellors. Ultimately, they should have a pretty open mind just with the expectation of 1-3 scenarios, which may or may not include Gender Identity Disorder. Either way I don't think that they will think you are "crazy" (therapists don't usually think of anyone as "crazy" since they have hundreds or thousands of more accurate terms that they are familiar with, and have a complex understanding of most of them) and when they hear from you what you are, they'll probably be intrigued and interested to learn more about you. I've been told that I have the "mindset of a therapist" in that I'm very analytical when it comes to human personalities and try to study people to find out what they are all about. If they're anything like me, then I know that they'll be more interested in learning (and helping you in the process) about you as opposed to labeling you and shoving you aside with the title of "crazy". I really doubt that "crazy"/"nuts" will even come into their mind.

P.S: I tried dressing up like a girl today, for fun. XD It is more uncomfortable than I remember. I put on a wig and fake breasts and a tight jumpsuit to be a man-Fujiko (from Lupin III).

I looked in the mirror and thought "Wow, I look like a guy trying to dress like a girl."

Even in those girl clothes, I really looked like a guy... I should take pictures for fun and see what you think (If I get the chance XD so uncomfortable!)

-struggles to keep from laughing- ...Oniichan... I really can't picture you being all girly-girl XD. You should post those pictures!! That is something I would pay to see. XD

-just fell out of chair at the mental image of oniichan in a labcoat with a nurse's outfit and breast forms- ...pffhhtt LOL...

-wipes tear from eye- but... yeah... if you're trying for a therapist with experience in Gender Identity issues, then it's like Sally said- they should understand you and see you as you are. Definitely not "crazy". In fact, I think if you went dressed like a girl, they'd probably be more apt to see you as crazy. "What in the hell is he wearing...?" - Sorry if I can't picture you with a sense of girly fashion XD.

[Guest Leigh]

Okay, I will be sure to do that. Do you think they will think I'm nuts or something? Because I am female in body, but--not in mind. If I go in dressed like I am, a man and ask for proper pronouns; will they think that is crazy or will they take me seriously? Everyone I know IRL (in real life) seems to just treat me like a kid playing dress up OTL

P.S: I tried dressing up like a girl today, for fun. XD It is more uncomfortable than I remember. I put on a wig and fake breasts and a tight jumpsuit to be a man-Fujiko (from Lupin III).

I looked in the mirror and thought "Wow, I look like a guy trying to dress like a girl."

Even in those girl clothes, I really looked like a guy... I should take pictures for fun and see what you think (If I get the chance XD so uncomfortable!)

...................Michael. that's the weirdest thing i have ever seen on this site....

lol...

peace&love

leigh

[Guest Martin]

If a therapist thinks you're crazy because you're presenting as yourself or doesn't take you seriously, you need to find a new therapist.

[Guest Nikk]

Dress as yourself, because isn't that who your therapist wants to see?

[Sally]

Michael,

Tha therapist needs to talk to you to find out about you and your mind and how you feel - the clothing you wear is for your bomfort - it doesn't matter to them.

They are therapists - not fashion consultants!

Dress like you normally do and relax - there is no grade in therapy.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest angie]

Right On Sally!

When we go to new professionals before RLE/RLT,we tend to present how

(they)will be comfortable,not we.If you are comfy in your real gender,by all

means go as yourself.I found it a whole lot easier to open up to my therapist

if I presented as a woman.That way she saw a woman,and I felt at ease.

Good Luck!

Angie